The history of Jewish communities across Europe as well as that of the Holocaust, is not only relevant to Jewish history, but also to European history as a whole! Understanding Jewish contributions to life in towns and villages across Central and Eastern Europe can help local people to form nuanced attitudes towards cultural heritage, which in turn will contribute to intercultural and interfaith dialogue in a multicultural and diverse Europe.
Alongside fencing, we therefore work closely with teachers and students as well as local historians, librarians and museum workers. Through our outreach programmes, participants learn about the history of their local Jewish community through Jewish cemeteries as a historical source. Focusing on local spaces emphasises not only the close connection between Jewish life and the current communities living there, but also serves to de-mystify cemetery sites.
This is of particular importance in the areas in which, in the wake of the Holocaust, Jewish communities no longer exist, as these cemeteries may be represent the last physical testament to Jewish presence. It is therefore vital that young people learn about this material heritage and how to place it in its larger historical and socio-cultural context.
Each year we reach hundreds of people during our educational activities under EU and German funding. The results of these programmes are a key component in building a sustainable future and ensuring the long-term protection of Jewish cemeteries.